Air France Compensation: How to Claim Up to €600 for Flight Delays

Air France, one of Europe's premier airlines and a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, carries over 50 million passengers annually. With its massive hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and an extensive network spanning every continent, delays and cancellations are an unavoidable part of operations.

If your Air France flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, you may be entitled to Air France compensation of up to €600 under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here's everything you need to know about claiming what you're owed.

Air France and EU261: Full Coverage as an EU Carrier

As a French airline headquartered in the EU, Air France benefits passengers with comprehensive EU261 coverage:

All flights departing from any airport worldwide — because Air France is an EU carrier, even flights from non-EU origins (New York, Tokyo, São Paulo) to EU destinations are covered
All flights departing from EU/EEA airports — to any destination globally
Flights operated by Air France HOP — the regional subsidiary operates under EU261 as well

This means virtually every Air France flight you've taken is covered. Whether you experienced an air france vol retardé from Paris to Dakar or a cancellation from Mexico City to Paris, your rights apply.

Compensation Amounts for Air France Flights

Your Air France compensation depends on flight distance:

Vols court-courriers / Short-haul (under 1,500 km): €250

Paris–London, Paris–Geneva, Paris–Barcelona. Delays of 3+ hours at arrival qualify.

Vols moyen-courriers / Medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km): €400

Paris–Istanbul, Paris–Marrakech, Paris–Moscow. These popular Air France routes frequently experience delays that entitle you to €400.

Vols long-courriers / Long-haul (over 3,500 km): €600

Paris–New York, Paris–Tokyo, Paris–Buenos Aires. Air France's extensive long-haul network means many claims qualify for the maximum €600.

Common Air France Delay Scenarios

CDG Hub Congestion

Paris Charles de Gaulle is Air France's primary hub and one of the world's busiest airports. Operational congestion, especially during peak summer months and holiday periods, regularly causes knock-on delays. When Air France's own scheduling or ground handling causes these delays, compensation applies.

Strikes — A Frequent Issue

France is well-known for industrial action, and Air France has experienced numerous crew strikes over the years. Here's the critical distinction:

Air France staff strikes — French courts have increasingly ruled that internal airline strikes do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances. The airline can reasonably anticipate and manage labour relations. These claims are often successful.
ATC (Air Traffic Control) strikes — these are external to the airline and generally do qualify as extraordinary circumstances, exempting Air France from compensation.

Technical Delays on Ageing Fleet

Air France has been modernising its fleet, but technical issues remain a common cause of delays. Mechanical faults are not extraordinary circumstances under EU case law, making these among the strongest claims.

Missed Connections via CDG

If your Air France connecting flight through CDG was missed due to a delay on the first leg, and you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late, you're entitled to compensation based on the total journey distance — not just the delayed segment.

When Air France Must Pay Compensation

Air France is obligated to compensate when the disruption was within their control:

Technical/mechanical faults — engine problems, hydraulic issues, avionics failures
Crew shortages or scheduling errors — insufficient crew, rest time miscalculations
Internal strikes — Air France pilot or cabin crew walkouts
Overbooking — involuntary denied boarding
Operational decisions — late aircraft arrival from previous rotation

When Air France Can Refuse

Legitimate extraordinary circumstances include:

Severe weather conditions (storms, ice, volcanic ash)
ATC strikes or restrictions imposed by Eurocontrol
Security threats
Bird strikes (contested — some courts rule these are within airline control)
Political instability at destination

Beware of broad refusals. Air France has been known to cite "raisons opérationnelles" (operational reasons) without specifying whether the cause was truly extraordinary. Always challenge vague rejections.

Filing Your Air France Compensation Claim

Option 1: Directly with Air France

Air France provides an online claims form through their website:

Visit airfrance.com → "Manage my bookings" → "Claim compensation"
Enter your booking reference and flight details
Describe the disruption
Submit and wait

Typical experience:

Response time: 4–8 weeks (often longer during peak periods)
First response is frequently a rejection or a goodwill offer below your legal entitlement
You may need to escalate to the French DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile) or pursue legal action

Option 2: Use FlightOwed (Faster & Easier)

FlightOwed handles your Air France compensation claim from start to finish:

Enter your Air France flight number and date
We instantly verify the delay and your eligibility
We calculate your compensation (€250, €400, or €600)
We manage all correspondence with Air France
We escalate if needed — including to the DGAC or through legal channels

No win, no fee. You pay nothing unless we recover your compensation.

Air France's Claims Handling Reputation

Air France sits in the middle of the pack when it comes to compensation handling:

Positives:

Generally acknowledges valid claims (eventually)
Online claims portal is functional
Complies with DGAC enforcement orders

Negatives:

Slow response times, especially for non-French claimants
Frequent use of "extraordinary circumstances" for strike-related delays
Goodwill vouchers often offered instead of full cash compensation
Language barriers for non-French-speaking claimants

Duty of Care: What Air France Must Provide During Delays

Even if your delay doesn't qualify for financial compensation, Air France must provide:

2+ hour delay (short-haul): Meals, refreshments, and communication
3+ hour delay (medium-haul): Same as above
4+ hour delay (long-haul): Same as above
Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation and transport

If Air France fails to provide care, retain all receipts. You can claim reasonable expenses (meals, hotel, transport) on top of your EU261 compensation.

Air France-KLM Group: Know Which Airline Operated Your Flight

Air France is part of the Air France-KLM Group. This matters for claims:

Air France operated flight → claim against Air France
KLM operated flight → claim against KLM (separate entity, Dutch jurisdiction)
Transavia France → separate low-cost subsidiary, still covered by EU261
Air France HOP → Air France regional, claims handled by Air France

Always check your boarding pass for the operating carrier — the two-letter code (AF for Air France, KL for KLM) tells you who to claim against.

French Legal Specifics

France has some unique aspects for Air France compensation claims:

Statute of Limitations

In France, you have 5 years from the date of the flight to file a compensation claim. This is more generous than Germany's 3 years and gives you ample time to claim for older flights.

DGAC Enforcement

The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) is France's national enforcement body for EU261. If Air France rejects your valid claim, the DGAC can intervene. However, the DGAC process is slow and conducted primarily in French.

French Courts

French courts are generally passenger-friendly in EU261 cases. Several landmark rulings on strikes and technical delays have been decided in French jurisdictions in favour of passengers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Air France compensation in English?

Yes. EU261 is an EU-wide regulation, and Air France must process claims regardless of language. However, responses may come in French. FlightOwed handles all language barriers for you.

What about Air France flights to/from overseas territories?

Flights to French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, etc.) are treated as domestic French flights for EU261 purposes — they're fully covered. Given the long distances, these often qualify for the €400 bracket.

My Air France flight was delayed due to a strike. Can I claim?

It depends on who was striking. Air France's own staff? Likely yes. French ATC? Likely no. The distinction matters enormously. Check your specific flight →

Air France offered me a voucher. Do I have to accept it?

No. Under EU261, you're entitled to cash compensation. You can refuse the voucher and demand payment. See our guide on airline vouchers vs cash.

Claim Your Air France Compensation Now

Whether your vol Air France was delayed by hours or cancelled entirely, don't let your compensation go unclaimed. Millions of euros in Air France passenger compensation goes unpaid every year.

Check your Air France flight now →

3 minutes. No cost. FlightOwed handles everything.

Related reading:

Air France Compensation Guide: Claim Up to €600 for Delays & Cancellations